Lock flap-beer carton



9 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 8, 1963 Feb. 23, 1965 I R. s. CROZIER 3,179,616

LOCK FLAP-BEER CARTON Filed April 8, 1965 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 23, 1965 Filed April 8, 1963 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 .Plg 5 g 8 5- 8 T l l i i i. a a 21 31: F |l| 3 0 3'3 ll: m 510 of 5| o Qfiflfl .o m," 2

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II o 03 R. S. CROZIER LOCK FLAP-BEER CARTON Feb. 23, 1965 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 mNm Filed April 8, 1963 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed April 8, 1963 mvm omm In mmm mmm Feb. 23, 1965 R. s. CROZIER 3,170,616

LOCK FLAP-BEER CARTON Filed April 8, 1965 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 Feb. 23, 1965 R. s. CROZIER 3,170,616

- LOCK FLAP-BEER CARTON Filed April 8, 1963 9 heets-Sheet 8 Feb. 23, 1965 R. s. CROZIER LOCK FLAP-BEER CARTON 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed April 8, 1963 United States Patent 3,170,616 LOCK FLAP-BEER CARTON Robert S. Crozier, 1345 Dutrisac St., St. Laurent, Montreal 9, Quebec, Canada Filed Apr. 8, 1963, Ser. No. 271,369 Claims priority, application Canada, Feb. 1, 1963, 867 ,892 6 Claims. (Cl. 229-16) This invention relates to cartons and more particularly to top closures for cartons. It also relates to one piece hardboard or corrugated cardboard blanks, adapted to be folded and erected to form such cartons.

Cartons formed of hardboard or corrugated cardboard and having side walls, a bottom and top closure means and an interior assembly to divide such carton into a plurality of article receiving compartments are well known. However, most such cartons have been provided with at least a pair of co-operating top closure flaps glued together in co-operating relationship with each other. Obviously, such top closure flaps have had to be torn apart in order to obtain access to the contents of the carton. While cartons having such top closure flaps have not proved to be too disadvantageous to the consumer, they have, nevertheless, materially added to the cost of the carton due to the low salvage value of used cartons.

Obviously, it is desirable to provide a carton which is reusable, i.e. a multi-trip carton. This, then, is a carton which can be reused several times by the bottler before its life is terminated.

Itis the practice in certain countries to sell bottled beer to the consumer, the bottles being packaged in the above-mentioned type of container. Beer is preferably packaged in darkened glass bottles and the bottles packed in containers provided with a top closure, because it was found that beer, when subjected to light, whether it be natural or artificial, and even for a short time was subject to undesirable photo-chemical changes. Beer 'so effected is known in the trade as light struck and, although not injurious to humans, it is very objectionable. Consequently, it will be appreciated that bottles containing beer should not be subjected to light until required for actual consumption. After the consumer has torn open the top flaps in order to obtain access to the bottles, and has consumed the contents of the bottles, he normally returns the empty bottles in the container to the retailer. The retailer then returns the container, together with the empty bottles to the brewer or wholesaler. Upon receipt of such used container, the brewer extracts the empty bottles mechanically. Thereafter, the brewer removes the interior assembly of mutually transverse partitions from the carton in order to reclaim the assembly if it is relatively undamaged. He then disposes of the shells as used cartons or as baled scrap paper. In this fashion, the brewer obtains some return of salvage value. 7

Accordingly, a main feature of this invention is the provisionof a carton, formed of cardboard, corrugated or otherwise, and having side walls, end walls, a bottom, and provided with such top closure means that it is capable of several trips as a multi-trip carton before its effective life is terminated. I 1 I A preferred feature of this invention is the provision ofa three piece carton formed of cardboard, corrugated or otherwise, one piece including a sturdy structure embodying side walls, end walls and a bottom, the second piece including an interior assembly of mutually transverse partitions defining a plurality of article receiving compartments and the third piece including distinctive characteristics representative of the contents of the carton on the exterior thereof and embodying side walls, end walls and the particular top closure means. I I

According to a broad aspect of this invention, there is FIG. 10,

3,179,615 Patented Feb. 23, lQfiS provided a carton particularly adapted to be stacked in pallets and wherein said pallets are transportable, said carton including a bottom, side walls and mutually opposed end Walls, with or without one or two apertures or carrying handholes, and top closure means, said top closure means comprising a pair of closure flaps each said flap being integrally and hingedly connected to an associated one of a pair of mutually opposed walls, each said flap being provided with a plurality of apertures therein, each said aperture having a portion disposed towards the center of a carton adapted to facilitate insertion therethrough and removal therefrom of a crown seal and finish ring of a bottle, a portion of each said flap adjacent to its connection to its associated wall being free of apertures and being adapted to rest upon the top surface of said other mutually opposed walls, the apertured portion of said flaps being adapted to be disposed below the top surface of said other mutually opposed walls, whereby, when bottles are placed in said carton, the crown seals and finish rings thereof are adapted to be passed through said apertures and are adapted to co-operate therewith to lock said closure and to stabilize said bottles within said carton.

According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided in such a carton a bottom structure constituted by an essentially two-ply bottom, single ply mutually opposed side walls, and mutually opposed end walls each provided with a hand carrying aperture, said bottom structure being telescoped within said portion of said carton comprising said mutually opposed side walls, end walls and said top closure means.

In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the present invention, I

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a one-piece blank accord ing to this invention,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the carton erected from the blank of FIG. 1, showing the contents therein,

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of another one-piece blank according to this invention,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the carton erected from the blank of FIG. 3, showing the contents therein,

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of yet another blank according to this invention,

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the carton erected from the blank of FIG. 5,

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of still another blank according to this invention,

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the carton erected the blank of FIG. 7,

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of an alternative form of a blank according to this invention,

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a blank adapted for use with the blank of FIG. 9 to form the carton of this invention,

FIG. 11 is a from perspective view of the erected blank of FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a partially assembled and erected three-piece carton according to this invention, and

9 FIG. 13 is a central vertical cross-section of an assembled erected thre'e-piece carton according to this invention.

Turning to FIG. 1, the blank indicated generally at 20, comprises three sets of seriatim side-by-side panels 21, 22, and 23. Panels 21 are adapted to form the side and end walls, panels 22 are adapted to form side walls and top closure means, and panels 23 are adapted to formthe bottom.

Panels 21 include a pairof side wall panels 24 and 25, a pair of end wall panels 26 and 27, and a tab panel 28. End wall panel 26 is integrally and hingedly connected to common fold line 41.

side Wall panel 24. along a first fold line 29; side wallpanel is integrally and hingedlyconnected to end wall panel .26 along a second fold line 30; end wall panel 27 is integrallyand hingedly connected to side wall panel 25 along a third fold line 31; and tab panel'28 is integrally and hingedly attached v to end wall panel 27-along a fourth fold line 32, Each of end wall'panels 26 and 27 are provided with a carrying aperture 33 defined by a pair of parallel spaced incisions 34 and 35 joined by semi-circular incisions 36. i v r i a Bottom closure panels 23 comprise panels 37, 38, 39 and 40, each integrally andhingedly connected to its associated panels 24, 25, 2s and27, respectively, along a It is observed that panel 37. is spaced from panel 39, that panel 39 is spaced from panel 38 and that panel 38 is spaced from panel 40. This is to permit the bottom panels37fand 38, connected to the side Walls 24 and 25 to be folded and then the panels 39 and 40 connected to the end wall to be folded, in erecting the carton, without undue restrictions.

Panels 22 will now be described. Panels 22 includea' receiving compartments may be placed in the opened fold line 56v so that itssecondary portion 6'6.rests with-its side edges onassociated-portions of auxiliary panels 48 pair of panels 42 and 43, each adapted to form 'the second panel of a double thickness side ,wall, and panels 44 and 45, adapted to form the top closure. Panel 42 is hingedly and integrally connected to panel 24 along a fifth fold line 46, while panel 43 is hingedly and integrally 7 attached to panel 25,.along a sixth fold-line 47 Panel 42 is provided with an auxiliary panel 48, defined by fifth fold line 46 and a first auxiliary fold line 49 parallel to, and spaced from, said fifth fold lin'e 46. The purpose of auxiliary panel 48 will be explainedhereinafter. Simi-.

larly, panel 43 is provided with an. auxiliary panel Sit-defined by sixth fold; line 47 and a second auxiliary fold line Y 51, parallel to and spaced from said sixth fold line 47. r

and hingedlyattached to panel 27 along" an eighth fold line 56. Panel 44 is subdivided into a primary portion 57,

carton so formed. i l

The bottles (not shown) containing thebeverage are then placed in the carton. It is observed that'the height of panels '21 is just slightly greater than the height of the sealed bottles. 7 V

is providedfwhile assuring that only the crown seals and finish rings 74 with their attractive advertising matter thereon is visible, while the necks of th'ebottle's are retained below the top closure, to exclude light from the contents of the bottles; Then panel .45is folded along andfitl. The cut-out 70 in panel .45 arethen mated with the crown seals and finish rings '74 of the bottles as described for cut-outs 62. Then theportion 65 is'sprung towards the side wall 27 so that the. semicircular cut-outs 72 co-operate with the crown seals and finish rings v '74 protruding from cut-outs 62. The natural resiliency of the cardboard assures a relatively tight locking Since the cut-outs are, formed with a portion of the sector having a radius greater than the radiu's of the remaining'sector, the flaps may readily-be opened by having the-cut-outs withdrawn fromthe'cro'wn seals and finish rings of the bottles, without tearing thecut-outs Thus,

the carton may be used again, as a multi-trip carton.

Turning to FIG. 3, the blank indicated generally'atlm,

. and end walls, panels 122 are adapted to form side-walls along a seventh fold line 55, while panel '45 is integrally a secondary portion 58 and an' auxiliary portion 5 9 by a pairiof parallel spaced apart fold lines 60 .and 61,'the' purpose of portions 53 and 59 to be explained hereinafter.

Primary portion, 57 is 'provided with a plurality, in this v casethree, cut-out portions 62, in which a portion of a sector thereof has a greater radius than the remaining sector. The leading edge 63 of panel 44 is providedwith a plurality, inthis case three, semi circular cut outs 64'.

Similarly, panel is subdivided into aprimary portion 65, a secondary portion 66 and an auxiliary portion .67 by i a pair of parallel, spaced apart auxiliary fold. lines 68 and P 69, the purpose of portionsd and 67 to be explained hereinafter. Primary, portion is provided with i a plurality, inthis case three cut-out'portions 76, in which a portion of a sector thereofhas a greater radius than the remaining sector. The leading edge '71 of panel45 is provided with a plurality, in this case'three semi-circular cut-outs72.

In erectingthecarton from theblank :of' FIG. .I- as shown in FIG. 2, the panels 21 are folded along fold lines 29, 3t), 31 and 32, and tab panel28-is glued, or otherwise attached. topan' el 24 to forrna rectangular parallelepiped; Bottom panels 37 and 38 are thenfolded'along foldiline 41 and panelsEiSl-and 49. are also folded alongfold line 41 and folded in overlapping relationship over panels"3 7 and 38 and glued, or otherwise attached thereto, to form the bottom closure; a a

Interior sidewall panels 42 and43 are then inwfolded along fold lines 46and 49, and 47aiid 51'. It is observed that. auxiliary panels 48-and 5t) are'slightly wider than andtop closure means, form the bottom. 1

Panels 121 include a and panels 123 are adapted to nected to side wall panel 124 along a first fold .line 129;

wall panel 125 along a thirdfold line 131; and'tab panel 128 is integrally and hin'gedly attached to end wall Ipanel fined by a pairof parallel spaced incisions 134 and lSS I jo-ined by semicircular incisions 135. p 1

Bottom closure panels 123 comprise panels,.13 7, 138,

132'an d 149, eachintegrallyland hingefdly fionnectedto its associated panel 124, 125,126 and l 27, respectively, along 7 a common fold line 141. Itis observed thatpanel 137fis spaced from panel 139 that panel 139i-;is spaced ,from' panel138, and that panel 138 is spaced frompahel 140.

v This is to permitfthe bottom panels 137 and '138,-con-,

h a pair of panels 142; and 143,, each adapted ftoform the second panel ofadouble thickness sidewall, and panelsf. l44'and 145, adapted toform the topclosure Panel 142 the thickness of the cardboard materiahto facilitate the folding, Then, desired, an interior assembly of mutually transverse partitions defining ajplurality of article nected to the sidewalls 124 and;l25 to be folded and then the'panels 139 and 14tlconnected to the-end wall to be folded, in erecting the carton, withoutundue restrictions,

'Panels 122" will. now be described. Panels 122;,include is .hin'gedly and integrally-connected to panel124 along a fifth fold line 146, while panel .143isj hingedly. and i111 tegrally attached: to panel l25: along a. sixth fold lin'el47. Panel 142 is provided with an auxiliarypanel ll-4 8,defined by fifth fold line146 and. a 'firs tgauxiliaryfold ,-line 149 I parallelt'mand spacedfr om, said fifth fold lin'e 146, v The purpose of auxiliary panel '148 will 'be'explained hereinafter; "Similarly, panel 243 is provided with anauxiliary panel 159 defined by sixth fold-line 147- and a second 7 auxiliary 'fold line l5l,*parallel to and spaced from said I Top closurepane l 44, for example, is V folded, along fold line- 55,-so that secondary portion 58 pair of side wall panelsll24and V 125, a pair ofend wall panels 126 and 127, and a tab panel 128.1 End wall panel 126'is integrally and'hingedlycon- -tively tight locking.

sixth fold line 147. The purpose of auxiliary panel 150 will also be described hereinafter. As shown in this embodiment, each of panels 142 and 143 is provided, along their leading edge 152, with a pair of spaced apart tabs 154, although it is, of course, possible to omit such tabs.

Panel 144 is integrally and hingedly attached to panel 126 along a seventh fold line 155, while panel 145 is integrally and hingedly attached to panel 127 along an this case three, semi-circular cut-outs 164.

Similarly, panel 145 is subdivided into a primary portion 165, a secondary portion 166 and an auxiliary portion 167 by a pair of parallel, spaced apart auxiliary fold lines 168 and 169 the purpose of portions 166 and 167 to be explained hereinafter. Primary portion 165 is provided with a plurality, in this case six, cut-out portions 170, in which a portion of a sector thereof has a greater radius than the remaining sector. The leading edge 171 of panel 145 is provided with a plurality, in this case three, semi-circular cut-outs 172. I

In erecting the carton from the blank of FIG. 3 as shown in FIG. 4, the panels 121; are folded along fold lines 129, 136, 131 and 132, and tab panel 128 is glued,

. or otherwise attached to panel 124 to form a rectangular parallelepiped. Bottom panels 137 and 138 are then folded along fold line 141, and panels 139 and 140 are also folded along fold line 141 and folded in overlapping relationship over panels 137 and 138 and glued, or otherwise attached thereto, to form the bottom closure.

Interior side wall panels 142 and 143 are then in-folded along fold lines 146 and 149, and 147 and 151. It is observed that auxiliary panels 148 and 150 are slightly wider than the thickness of the cardboard material, to facilitate the folding. Then, if desired, an interior assembly of mutually transverse partitions defining a plurality of article receiving compartments may be placed in the opened carton so formed.

The bottles (not shown) containing the beverage are then placed in the carton. It is observed that the height of panels 121 is just slightly greater than the height of the sealed bottles. Top closure panel 144, for example, is folded, along fold line 155, so that secondary portion 158 rests with its side edges on the associated portions of auxiliary panels 148 and 150. Then the cut-outs 162 are mated with the crown seals and finish rings 174 of the bottles so that the crown seals and finish rings 174 only protrude therefrom. The auxiliary panel 159 is of just sufficient width that a step-down portion of the top closure is provided while assuring that only the crown seals and finish rings 174, with their attractive advertising matter thereon is visible, while the necks of the bottles are retained below the top closure, to exclude light from the contents of the bottles. 'Then panel 145 is folded along fold line 156 so that its secondary portion 166 rests with its side edges on associated portions of auxiliary panels 148 and 150. The cut-outs 170 in panel 145 are then mated with the crown seals and finish rings 174 of the bottles as described for cut-outs 162. Then the portion 165 is sprung towards the side wall 127 so that the semi-circular cut-outs 172 co-operate'with the crown seals and finish rings 174 protruding from cut-outs 162. The natural resiliency of the cardboard assures a rela- Since the cut-outs are formed with a portion of the sector having a radius greater than the radius of the remaining sector, the flaps may readily be opened by having the cut-outs withdrawn from the crown seals and finish rings of the bottles, without tearing the cut-outs. Thus, the carton may be used again, as a multi-trip carton.

Turning to FIG. 5, the blank indicated generally at 221), comprises three sets of seriatim side-by-side panels 221, 222 and 223. Panels 221 are adapted to form the side and end walls, panels 222 are adapted to form side walls and top closure means, and panels 223 are adapted to form the bottom.

Panels 221 include a pair of side wall panels 224 and 225, a pair of end wall panels 226 and 227, and a tab panel 228. End wall panel 226 is integrally and hingedly connected to side wall panel 224 along a first fold line 229; side wall panel 225 is integrally and hingedly connected to end wall panel 226 along a second fold line 230; end wall panel 227 is integrally and hingedly connected to side wall panel 225 along a third fold line 231; and tab panel 223 is integrally and hingedly attached to end wall panel 227 along a fourth fold line 232. Each of end wall 'panels 226 and 227 are provided with a carrying aperture 223, defined by a pair of parallel spaced incisions 234 and 235 joined by semicircular incisions 236.

Bottom closure panels 223 comprise panels 237, 238, 239 and 246, each integrally and hingedly connected to its associated panel 224, 225, 226 and 227, respectively, along a common fold line 241. It is observed that panel 237 is spaced from panel 239, that panel 239 is spaced from panel 233 and that panel 238 is spacedfrom panel 246. This is to permit the bottom panels 237 and 238,

connected to the side walls 224 and 225 to be folded and then the panels 239 and 241) connected to the end wall to be folded, in erecting the carton, Without undue restrictions.

Panels 222 Will now be described. Panels 222 include a pair of panels 242 and 243, each adapted to form the second panel of a double thickness side wall, and panels 244 and 245, adapted to form the top closure. Panel 242 is hingedly and integrally connected to panel 224 along a fifth fold line 246; while panel 243 is hingedly and integrally attached to panel 225 along a sixth fold line 247. Panel 242 is provided with an auxiliary panel 248, defined by fifth fold line 246 and a first auxiliary fold line 249 parallel to, and spaced from, said fifth fold line 246.

The purpose of auxiliary panel 248 will be explained hereinafter. Similarly, panel 243 is provided with an auxiliary panel 256 defined by sixth fold line 247 and a second auxiliary fold line 251, parallel to and spaced from said sixth fold line 247. The purpose of auxiliary panel 256 will also be described hereinafter. As shown in this embodiment, each of panels 242 and 243 is provided, along their leading edge 252, with a pair of spaced apart tabs 254, although it is, of course, possible to omit such tabs.

Panel 244 is integrally and hingedly attached to panel 226 along a seventh fold line 255, While panel 245 is integrally and hingedly attached to panel 227 along an eighth fold line 256. Panel 244 is subdivided into a primary portion 257 and an auxiliary portion 259 by an auxiliary fold line 260, the purpose of portion 258 to be explained hereinafter. Primary portion 257 is provided with a plurality, in this case three cut-out portions 262, in which a portion of a sector thereof has a greater radius than the remaining sector. The leading edge 263 of panel 244 is provided with a plurality, in this case three, semicircular cut-outs 264.

Similarly, panel 245 is subdivided into a primary portion 265, and an auxiliary portion 267 by an auxiliary fold line 268, the purpose of portion 266 to be explained hereinafter. Primary portion 265 is provided with a plurality, in this case three cut-out portions 270, in which a portion of a sector thereof has a greater radius than the remaining sector. The leading edge 271 of panel 245 is provided with a plurality, in this case three semicircular cut-outs 272. p r

In erecting the carton from the blank of FIG. 5 as shown in FIG. 6, the panels 221 are folded along fold lines 229, 230, 231 and 232, and tab panel 228'is glued,

or otherwise attachedto panel 224 to form a rectangular parallelepiped. Bottom panels 237 i and 238 are then folded along foldline 241 and panels 239 and 240 are along fold lines 246 and 249, and-247 and'251; Itis oo-- served that auxiliary'panels 248 and 250 areyslight ly wider than the thickness of the cardboard material, to facilitate the folding. Then, if desired, an interior assembly of mutually transverse partitions defining a plurality of article receiving compartments may be placed in the opened carton so formed.

The bottles (not shown) containing theibeverage are then placed in the carton. It is observed that the height of panels 221 is 'just'slightly greater than the height of the sealed bottles. folded, along foldline 255, so that secondary portion 253 rests with its side edges on the associated portions of auxiliary panels 243 and 250. Then the cut-outs 262 are mated with the crown seals and finish rings 274 of the bottles so that the crown seals and finish rings 2'34 only protrude therefrom. 1 v

Because of the location of fold line 260, the primary portion 257 forms an angled-down portion of the top closure whileassuring that only the crown seals and finish rings 274, with their attractive advertising matter thereon is visible, while the necks of the'bottlesare retained below the top closure, to exclude light from the contents of the bottles. Then panel 245 is folded along fold line 256 so that its secondary portion 266'rests with its side edges on associated portions of vauxiliary panels 248 and 250. The cut-outs27tl in panel 245 are then Top clo'surepanel 244, for example, is a mated with the crown sealsand finish rings 274 of the bottles as'described for cut-outs 262. Then the portion 265 is sprung towards the side wall 227 so that the semi circular cut-outs 2'72 co-operate with the crown seals and finish rings 274 protruding from cut-outs 262. The naturalresiliency of the cardboard assures a relatively tight locking.

Since the cut-outs are formedwith a portion of the sector having'aradius greater than the radius of the rethen the panels and 340 connected to the end wall to be. folded,-in erecting the carton, without undue restrictions. i r i 'Panels322' will'now be described.v Panels include v apair of panels 342 andv343,:each adapted to form the second panel of a double thickness sidewall, and'panels 344- and 345, adapted to form the top closure. Panel 342 is hingedly and'integrally connectedto panel 324' along a fifth fold line 346, while panel 343 is hingedly and in egrally attachedto panel 325 along a sixth fold line 7 2347. Panel 342 is provided with an auxiliary panel 348, defined by fifth fold line 346 and a firstauxiliaryfold line 349parallel to, and spaced from, said fifth fold line 346. The purpose of auxiliary panel 348. will be .ex

plained hereinafter. Similarly, panel343 is provided with an auxiliary panel 35% defined bysixth fold line 347 and 'a second auxiliary fold line 351 parallel .to and spaced 7 from saidsixth/fold line'347." The purpose ofauxiliary panel 35% will also be des cribed hereinafter. As shown in this embodiment, each of panels 342. and 343 is pro.- vided, along their leading edge- 352', with a:pair of spaced apart tabs 3 54, although it is, of course, possible to .omit suchtabs j i 1 Panelfa ldis integrally and hingedly attached to panel 326 along a seventh fold line 355, while panel 345 is'integrally and hingedly attached to panel 327 along an eighth fold line 356. Panel 34-4 is subdivided into a primary'portion 357 and an auxiliary portion 359'by an auxiliary fold line 36t3,-'the purpose of portion 358 to be explained hereinafter Primary portion35'7. is provided with'a plurality, in :this case six cut-out portions 362, in whicha portion of a sector thereof has a greater three, semi-circular cut-outs 364-.

'Similarly,panel- 345 is subdivided into a primaryv portion 365, and an auxiliary portion 367 byan auxiliary fold line'363, the purpose of portion ass mble explained hereinafter. Primary portion 365 is provided withaplurality, in this case six cut-out'portions 370, which a portion ofa sector thereof has a greater radius than the.

remaining sector; The leading edge 3710f panel 3&5 is provided with a plurality, in this case three" semi-circular cut-outs 372.

In erecting the carton from the blank ofFlGr 7 as l shown in FIG. 8,'the panels 321 are-folded along fold side vand 'end walls, panels 322 are adapted toforrn side walls and top closure means, and panels 323 are adapted to form the bottom.

Panels 321 include a pair of sidewall panels 324 and a 325, a'pair of end wall {panels 326} and 3271, and 'atab panel 528. End wall panel 32tiis integrally and hingedly connected *to side wall panel 3Z4 along a first fold'line 329;;side wallpanel 325 is integrally and hingedly con nectedto end wall panel 326' along a second' fold line 33% end wall panel'327 is integrally and hingedly connected to side. wall panel 325 along a third fold linefif'sli.

and tab panel 328' is integrally and hingedly 'attachedto end wall panel 32.7falong a fourth foldiline 332. Each of end'wall panels 326 and 327 are provided with a carrying aperture-333, defined; by a pair of parallel spaced incisions 334 'and;335 joined bysemi-circular incisions 336;

Bottom-closure panels 323 comprise panels 337, 3328,

" 3.39am 34h, each'integrally and hingedly connected to itsgassociated panel 324, 325', 326 and 3fii7fre spectively,

along a common-fold line-341. It is observed that panel I 337. is spaced from panel 339, that panel 339 is spaced from panel "338 and that panel 338 is spaced from panel 734? This is to permit the b ottom panels 337 and 333, I conne'ctedltothe side wallsSZd and 32.5 to be folded and "auxiliary panels 348 and 356-, Thenft el cut-onts '36 lines 329, 339, 331 and 3312-, and tab panel'3 28 is glued, or otherwise'attaehed'to panel 324' toform a rectangular parallelepiped. Bottom panels 337 and'338i are then folded along' fold linefid l and. panels 339' and 3 itl'jarei also folded along "fold'line 3 4l'and folded in overlapping relationship over panels 337 and. 333'and glued, or otherwise'attached thereto, to form the bottom closure;

a Interior sidewall paneIsIsQ-Zand' areth'e'n'in-folded' along fold linesffifi andfidi and 347 and fs5iflf It. is observedthat auxiliary-panels 348 and 35% are" slightly wider than the thickness of the :cardboard material, to

facilitate the folding. Thernif desired, an interior as-. semhly of mutually transverse partitionsdefining a 'plurah ity of article receiving compartments may be:

the opened carton; so formed.

The bottles (not shown) containing then placedin theycarton. It is-oos'erved that the height of panels 321- is just. 'slightly'greater than the'lhei'ghtof the sealed bottles. Top closurepanel' 7 placed in 358 rests with'lts side edges on the associated portionsof are mated with {the crown seals andfin'ish rings 37 i 1 V i Ms E finish rings 374, withjtheir attractive advertisin the beverage are 1 V V for :example, 7 is folded, along fold. line 355'; .so. that secondary portion ottles so that the crown seals. and' finish rin s fi a ts and matter 1 case three, semi-circular cut-outs 464. i

thereon are visible, while the necks of the bottles are retained below the top closure, to exclude light'frorn the contents of the bottles. Then panel 345 is folded along fold line 356 so that its secondary portion 366 rests with its side edges on associated portions of auxiliary panels 348 and 350. The cut-outs 370 in panel 345 are then mated with the crown seals and finish rings 374 of the bottles as described for cut-outs 362. Then the portion 365 is sprung towards the side wall 327 so that the semicircular cut-outs 372 co-operate with the crown seals and finish rings 374 protruding from cut-outs 362. The natural resiliency of the cardboard assures a relatively tight locking.

Since the cut-outs are formed with a portion of the sector having a radius greater than the radius of the remaining sector, the flaps may readily be opened by having the cut-outs withdrawn from the crown seals and finish rings of the bottles, without tearing the cut-outs. Thus, the carton may be used again, as a multi-trip carton.

Turning to FIG. 9, the blank indicated generally at 42%, comprises two sets of seriatirn side-by-side panels 421 and 422. Panels 421 are adapted to form the side and end walls, while panels 422 are adapted to form side walls and top closure means.

Panels 421 include a pair of side wall panels 424 and 425, a pair of end wall panels 426 and 427, and a tab panel 428. End wall panel 426 is integrally and hingedly connected to side wall panel 424 along a first fold line 429; side wall panel 425 is integrally and'hingedly connected to end wall panel 426 along a second fold line 430; end wall panel 427 is integrally and hingedly connected to side wall panel 425 along a third fold line 431; and tab panel 428 is integrally and hingedly attached to end wall panel 427 along a fourth fold line 432. Each of end wall panels 426 and 427 are provided with a carrying aperture 433, defined by a pair of parallel spaced incisions 434 and 435 joined by semi-circular incisions 436.

Panels 422 will now'be described. Panels 422 include a pair of panels 442 and 443, each adapted to form the second panel of a double thickness side wall, and panels 444 and 445, adapted to form the top closure. Panel 442 is hingedly and integrally connected to panel 424 along a fifth fold line 446, while panel 443 is hingedly and integrally attached to panel 425 along a sixth fold line 447. Panel 442 is provided with an auxiliary panel 448, defined by fifth fold line 446 and a first auxiliary fold line 449 parallel to, and spaced from, said fifth fold line I 446. The purpose of auxiliary panel-448 will be explained hereinafter. Similary, panel 443 is provided with an auxiliary panel 450 defined by sixth fold line 447 and a second auxiliary fold line 451, parallel toand spaced from said sixth fold line 447. The purpose of auxiliary panel 453 will also be, described hereinafter. Each of panels 442 and 443 is provided, along their leading edge 452, with a pair of spaced apart tabs 454, whose purpose will be described hereinafter.

Panel 444 is integrally and hingedly attached topanel 426 along a seventh fold line 455, while panel 445 is integrally and hingedly attached to panel 427 along an eighth fold line 455. 1 Panel 444 is subdivided into a.

primary portion 457, a secondary portion 458 and an auxiliary portion 459 by a pair of parallel spaced apart fold lines 460 and 461, the. purpose of portions 458 and 459 to be explained hereinafter. Primary portion 457 is vided with a plurality, in this case three, cut-out portions 470, in which a portion of a sector thereof has a greater radius than the remaining sector. The leading edge 471 of panel 445 is provided with a plurality, in this case three semi-circular cut-outs 472.

Turning to FIG. 10, the blank indicated generally at 5211, comprises three sets of seriatim side-by-side panels 521, 522 and 523. Panels521 are adapted to form the side and end walls, panels 522 are adapted to form side walls and panels 523 are adapted to form the buttom.

Panels 521 include a pair of side wall panels 524 and 525, a pair of end wall panels 526 and 527, and a tab panel 528. End wall panel 526 is integrally and hingedly connected to side wall panel 524 along a first fold line 529; side wall panel 525 is integrallyand hingedly connected to end wall panel 526 along a second fold line 534; end wall panel 527 is integrally and hingedly connected to siide wall panel 525 along a third fold line 531; and tab panel 528 is integrally and hingedly attached to end wall panel 527 along a fourth fold line 532; Each of end wall panels 526 and 527 are provided with a carrying aperture 533, defined by a pair of parallel spaced incisions 534 and 535 joined by generally vertical incisions 536.

Bottom closure panels 523 comprise panels 537, 533, 539 and 540, each integrally and hingedly connected to its associated panel 524, 525, 526 and 527, respectively,

along a common fold line 541. It is observed that panel 537 is spaced from panel 539, that panel 539 is spaced tions of fold lines 531 with 541, 533 with 541 and 529 with 541. In addition semi-circular apertures 576 are provided at the intersection of fold line 541 with the side edge of panels 524 and 537, and at the intersection of fold line 541 with fold line 532. 4

Each of panels 539 and 541) have an integral extension 577 thereon of less width than such panels, defining an imaginary slot 578, shown defined by the edges of extension 577 and the dot-and-peck lines. The purpose of this imaginary slot will be described hereinafter.

Panels 522 will now be described. Panels 522 are constituted by a pair of panels 542 and 543, each adapted to form the second panel of a double thickness end wall. Panel 542 is hingedly and integrally connected to: panel 526 along a fifth fold line 546, while panel 543 is hingedly and integrally attached to panel 527 along a sixth fold line 547. Panel 542 is provided with an auxiliary panel 548, defined by fifth fold line 546 and a first auxiliary fold line 549 parallel to and spaced from, said fifth fold line 546. The purpose of auxiliary panel 548 will be explained hereinafter. Similarly, panel 543 is provided with an auxiliary panel 559 defined by sixth fold line 547 and a second auxiliary fold line 551, parallel to and spaced from said sixth fold line 547. The purpose of auxiliary panel 551) will also be described hereinafter.

Each of panels 542 and 543 is provided with incised portions adapted to co-operate with carrying apertures provided with a plurality, in this' c'ase'three cut-out por-, 1

tions 462, in which a portion of a sectorthereof has a greater radius than the remaining sector. The leading edge 4630f panel 444 is provided with a plurality, in this Similarly, panel 445 is subdivided into 'a primary portion 465, a secondary portion 466 and an auxiliary portion 467 by a pair of parallel, spaced apart auxiliary fold lines 468 and 459, the purpose of portions 46-6 and 467 i to be explained hereinafter. Primary portion 4651s pro- 533 in its associated panels 526 and 527 respectively. These incised portions comprise a pair of flaps 578 and 579 divided one from the other by a first common incision 584, and struck from'its associated panel by means of second common score line 581 and third common score'line 582. Flap 578is' integrally and hingedly attached to its associated panel along fold line 583. It is provided, by fold line 585, parallel to but spaced from fold line 533, with an auxiliary panel 584, whose pur-.

pose will be described hereinafter. Similarly, flap 579 l l which'is parallel to but spaced from fold line Shfifwith an auxiliary panel 587, whose purpose will be described hereinafter.

' In erecting the blank of FIG. 10 as shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, the panels 521 are folded along fold lines 1529, 530, 531 and. 532, and tab panelfSZe' is stapled,

glued, or otherwise attached to panel 524 to form a rectangular parallelepiped. Bottom panels 539 and 5459 are then folded along, fold line 541 'so that a partial bottom closure is formed. It will be noted that, because of the widthof extensions 577 and the presence of imaginary slots5'78, there is formed a slot 599 between the side edges of extensions 577 and the adjacent side walls formed by panels 525 and 524. Bottom panels 537 and 538 are then folded along fold line 541 in overlapping relationship exteriorly to panels 537- and 53% and stapled,

I glued, or otherwise attached thereto, to form thebot- 1 generally inface-to face contact with their associated torn closure.

Inner end walls S iZ'a'nd 543 are then in-folded along fold lines 546 and 549, and 547 and 551, so that they be outer end walls 526 and527 respectively .A reinforcing bar'589, preferably a wooden strip is placed between inner end wall 542 and outer end wall 526, with its'upper edge abutting the inner surface of auxiliary panel 548.

Then flaps 578 and 579 are inturned, to be between inner'end wall5 i-2 andouter end wall 526 by folding along fold lines 533 and 5&5 and 536 and 583 respectively, the width of auxiliary'portions 584 and 587 respectively being approximately equal to the thickness of the reinforcing barSfiQ. Then inner end wall 542 is stapled, glued or otherwise attachedto outer end wall 526. This results in the provision of a reinforced hand carrying aperture 533. v i

.In a similar manner inner end wall 543 is attached to outer end wall 527.

In'erecting the blank of FIGQ9 as shown in FIGS. 12

and 13 the panels 421 are folded along fold lines 42?,

7 439, 431 and-432, and tab paneldlfi isglued, stapled,'0r

otherwise attached to panel 424 to form a rectangular parallelepiped; Since therea're no bottom panels, an open bottomed car-ton is formed.

the necks of the bottles are retained below the top closure,

to exclude light from the content of the' bottles. 7' Then panel 445 is folded along fold line 45 s so; thatits secondary portion 4% rests with its side edgeson associated portions of auxiliary panels dds and 456. The cut-outs 4-70 in panel 445 are then matedtwiththe crowns 474 of the bottles 473 as described forcut-outs 4-62. Then the portion 465 is sprungltowards theside, wall 427' so that the semi-circular cut-outs 472 co-operate with the crown seals and finish rings protruding from cut-outs 452,. The'natural resiliency of the cardboard assuresa relatively tight locking. i

Since the cut-outs are formed with a portion of the sector having a radius greater than the radius of the remaining sector, theflaps mayreadilybe opened by having the cut-outs withdrawn from the crown-seals and finish rings of the bottles, without tearing the cut-outs.

Thus, the lcarton"may be1used again, as a multi-trip carton. 1 Although the present invention has been described for cartons adapted to contain twelve bottles,lit is of course possible for any number of-bottlesto be, packaged, providing an appropriate number of cutout po'rtiontsis provided inthe top closure flaps. 'In' addition while the i11 vention has been describedwhereinthe leading edge of the top closure flaps have semi-circular cut-outsthe'rein, it is also: possible to ornit 'such cut-outs. Whilethe cut: outs have been described as having the radius of one sector greater than the radius of the'rernaining sec-tor other means adapted to perrnit insertion of the crdwn' I seals. and finish rings through the cut-out while permitting a withdrawal therefrom may be used. Thusythe cut-outs g The open-bottomed carton formed by erecting the blank of FIG. 9, is then telescoped over the open-topped carton formed by erecting the blank of FIG. 10, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. Thus, side walls 424 and 425" are situated in face-to-face contact exteriorly of side walls 524 and 525 respectively, while end walls and "427 are situated intface-to-face contactexteriorly. of side walls 1 526andf527 respectively; with hand carrying apertures 4-33 adapted to register with hand carrying apertures 533'.

Side walls 442 and 443 are situ'atedin face-to-faceco ntact interiorly of side walls 542 and 543 respectively,

a with tabs 454 adapted to register with slots 589. The widthof auxiliary. panels 448 and 454. is approximately equal to the sum of the thicknesses of the cardboard out of which blanks 42% andSZtl are formed, in o'rderqto facilitate the folding and erection. Then, an interior assembly 5% of mutually transverse partitions 591 and 5% defining a plurality of article receiving is placed in the erected cartonsoforrne compartments 593 The eontainerof FIGS. 12 and 13 is adapted to'centain bottles (not shown) containing a beverage The heightof panels 421 and-1 521 shouldvbe just slightly greater than the'height of thesealed bottles.

Top closure panel 444, for example, 'is folded, along foldli'ne 455,30, ,7 j

a to be disposed'belowthelop-surface of sai d. other co-operate therewith that secondary iportion 453-re'sts with its side edga on the associated. portions ofauxiliary panels ldti and 45:).

crown seals and finish rings-only protrude therefrom.

The. auxiliarypanel d59'is of just sufficient width that a step-down portidn ofthe-top closure isp-rovided'wh-ile assuring that onlythe'crown seals and finish rings with K their attractive advertising rnatte rth'ereonis visible, while 7 ;Then thecut-outs 462 are "mated with the, crown seals and-finish rings (not shown) of the bottlessothat the said bottles. 5

I 2;] A; stackable carton containing bottles 7 said ca' rton adapted tob'e stacked in pallets andwherein said pallets' are transportable said cartoniincluding mutually opposed may be oval, or the leading edge'may include star'- bursts thereiin V In addition, the three-piece embodiment has been described for one type of outer shell. Of'course, outer shellsadapted'fromthe. other embodiments of the carton of the invention s'ho'wnfor example in FIGS. 3 8' may also be used; 1

Iclairnr V 1. A stackable carton "containing bottles said :carton adapted to be stacked in palletsg and wherein said pallets are transportable, said cartondncluding mutually op- V I posed' end walls, sidewalls, a bottom, a pair of carrying 45 apertures in mutually opposedwalls and top closure means, said topgclosure means comprising a pair of closure 'flaps each said flap being integrally and hingedly connected to an associated onefofja pair ofrnutually opposed walls, each said flap being provided with a plurality of apertures therein, each :said aperture having aportion disposedtowards the center, of a carton adapted to facilitate insertion therethrough and renrovalth'erefrom'of' a crown seal and finish ring of. a bottle a.portion of each said fiapadjacent to itsconhection to its associated wall being free'of apertures and beingadapted torest uponthe top surface offsaid; other mutually opposed walls theapertured portion of saidflaps being adapted mutually opposed-walls, whereby the crown {seals and finish rings of bottles 'place'd in said carton are adapted "to be passed through saidjaperturesand are adapted to I tolock said'closure andtostabilize I end walls, side walls, a' bottomya pair vof carrying apfrom of a crown seal and finish ring of a bottle, a portion of each said flap adjacent to its connection to its associated end wall being free of apertures and being adapted to rest upon the top surface of said mutually opposed side walls, the apertured portion of said flaps being adapted to be disposed below the top surface of said mutually opposed side walls, whereby the crown seals and finish rings of the bottles placed in said carton are adapted to be passed through said apertures and are adapted to co-operate therewith to lock said closure and to stabilize said bottles.

3. A stackable carton containing bottles said carton adapted to be stacked in pallets and wherein said pallets are transportable, said carton including mutually opposed end walls, side walls, a bottom, a pair of carrying apertures in mutually opposed end walls and top closure means, said top closure means comprising a pair of closure flaps each said flap being integrally and hingedly connected to an associated one of a pair of mutually opposed end walls, each said flap being provided with a plurality of apertures therein, a sector of each said aperture being of greater radius than the remaining sector of said aperture, said greater radius sector being disposed towards the center of a carton whereby to facilitate insertion therethrough and removal therefrom of a crown seal and finish ring of a botle, a portion of each said flap adjacent to its connection to its associated end wall being free of aperturesand being adapted to rest upon the top surface of said other mutually opposed side walls, the apertured portion of said flaps being adapted to be disposed below the top surface of said mutually opposed side walls, whereby the crown seals and finish rings of bottles placed in said carton are adapted to be passed through said apertures and are adapted to cooperate therewith to lock said closure and to stabilize said bottles.

4. A stackable carton adapted to be stacked in pallets and wherein said pallets are transportable, said carton including mutually opposed end walls, side walls, a bottom, a pair of carrying apertures in mutually opposed walls and top closure means, said top closure means comprising a pair of closure flaps each said flap being integrally and hingedly connected to an associated one of a pair of mutually opposed walls, each said flap being provided with a plurality of apertures therein, each said aperture having a portion disposed towards the center of a carton adapted to facilitate insertion therethrough and removal therefrom of a crown seal and finish ring of a bottle, a portion of each said flap adjacent to its connection to its associated wall being free of apertures and being adapted to rest upon the top surface of said other mutually opposed walls, the apertured portion of said flaps being adapted to be disposed below the top surface of said other mutually opposed walls whereby the crown seals and finish rings are adapted to be passed through said apertures and to co-operate therewith to lock said closure.

5. A stackable carton adapted to be stacked in pallets and wherein said pallets are transportable, said carton including mutually opposed end walls, side walls, a bottom, a pair of carrying apertures in mutually opposed end walls and top closure means, said top closure means comprising a pair of closure flaps each said flap being integrally and hingedly connected to an associated one of a pair of mutually opposed end walls, each said flap being provided with a plurality of apertures therein, each said aperture having a portion disposed towards the center of a carton adapted to facilitate insertion therethrough and removal therefrom of a crown seal and finish ring of a bottle, a portion of each said flap adjacent to its connection to its associated end wall being free of apertures and being adapted to rest upon the top surface of said mutually opposed side walls, the apertured portion of said flaps being adapted to be disposed below the top surface of said mutually opposed side walls whereby the crown seals and finish rings are adapted to be passed through said apertures and co-operate therewith to lock said closures.

6. A stackable carton adapted to be stacked in pallets and wherein said pallets are transportable, said carton including mutually opposed end walls, side walls, a bottom, a pair of carrying apertures in mutually opposed end walls and top closure means, said top closure means comprising a pair of closure flaps each said flap being integrally and hingedly connected to an associated one of a pair of mutually opposed end walls, each said flap being provided with a plurality of apertures therein, a sector of each said aperture being of greater radius than the remaining sector of said aperture, said greater radius sector being disposed towards the center of a carton whereby to facilitate insertion therethrough and removal therefrom of a crown seal and finish ring of a bottle, a portion of each said flap adjacent to its connection to its associated end wall being free of apertures and being adapted to rest upon the top surface of said other mutually opposed side Walls, the apertured portion of said flaps being adapted to be disposed below the top surface of said mutually opposed side walls, whereby the crown seal and finish rings are adapted to be passed through said apertures and to co-operate therewith to lock said closure.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,882,524 10/32 Sherman 22952 1,960,947 5/34 Lauth et a1 22923 2,252,235 8/41 Snelling 217 2,335,366 11/43 Stearn 22928 2,586,156 2/52 Ferguson 22952 2,947,462 8/60 Bostock 22923 FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Primary Examiner. 

1. A STACKABLE CARTON CONTAINING BOTTLES SAID CARTON ADAPTED TO BE STACKED IN PALLETS AND WHEREIN SAID PALLETS ARE TRANSPORTABLE, SAID CARTON INCLUDING MUTUALLY OPPOSED END WALLS, SIDE WALLS, A BOTTOM, A PAIR OF CARRYING APERTURES IN MUTUALLY OPPOSED WALLS AND TOP CLOSURE MEANS, SAID TOP CLOSURE MEANS COMPRISING A PAIR OF CLOSURE FLAPS EACH SAID FLAP BEING INTEGRALLY AND HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO AN ASSOCIATED ONE OF A PAIR OF MUTUALLY OPPOSED WALLS, EACH SAID FLAP BEING PROVIDED WITH A PLURALITY OF APERTURES THEREIN, EACH SAID APERTURE HAVING A PORTION DISPOSED TOWARDS THE CENTER OF A CARTON ADAPTED TO FACILITATE INSERTION THERETHROUGH AND REMOVAL THEREFROM OF A CROWN SEAL AND FINISH RING OF A BOTTLE, A PORTION OF EACH SAID FLAP ADJACENT TO ITS CONNECTION TO ITS ASSOCIATED WALL BEING FREE OF APERTURES AND BEING ADAPTED TO REST UPON THE TOP SURFACE OF SAID OTHER MUTUALLY OPPOSED WALLS THE APERTURED PORTION OF SAID FLAPS BEING ADAPTED TO BE DISPOSED BELOW THE TOP SURFACE OF SAID OTHER MUTUALLY OPPOSED WALLS, WHEREBY THE CROWN SEALS AND FINISH RINGS OF BOTTLES PLACED IN SAID CARTON ARE ADAPTED TO BE PASSED THROUGH SAID APERTURES AND ARE ADAPTED TO CO-OPERATE THEREWITH TO LOCK SAID CLOSURE AND TO STABILIZE SAID BOTTLES. 